A 2010 Tribute to Coaches

The 2010 high school football season is behind us, and the holiday season is upon us. It seems to me that this is the time of year for reflection and for thanks. High school coaches are, as my long-time buddy Glenn K. Smith would say, a different breed of cat. I think that we would be hard-pressed to find a group of people who put in longer hours, days, weeks, and months for less financial remuneration than high school football coaches. When you consider the countless hours spent coaching, studying film, going to clinics, meeting with staff, and working with the public, the average coach definitely makes less than minimum wage for his efforts and it is probably considerably less. Since some of the best teaching is done on a football field, the public receives a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a father-figure for fatherless youths, a big brother, and even a best friend. High school football coaches willingly accept the rigors of a job that most men would never want or would be unable to do. We, at Cover2, have profiled fourteen coaches and have never been disappointed in the interviews. Obviously, some stood out:

Bob Ames, the wise old (he’s much younger than I) sage from Meridian, has attained almost legendary status in the Bellingham area, revered by young and old alike. His tongue-in-cheek, good-humored approach to interviews cloaks a razor-sharp, inventive mind. His teams will always be ready.

Darren Talley, a great athlete-turned-coach, has molded a perennial power in Chelan. The Caribou League that he has often led is arguably the toughest 1A league in the state.

Dave Miller, one of the classiest coaches in not only the state but the nation, probably leads the state in Division 1 football players produced. His teams are annually in the 3A title hunt.

Derek Borerro, the pleasant surprise I discovered while vacationing in Kuai, Hawaii, has made a quick and easy transition from an assistant coach to Head Coach with his own, hometown program. His Kuai High School Red Raiders have become an Island power reflecting Derek’s strength and determination.

Rob Friese, son of a great high school player who grew to be a standout at Eastern Washington, is another of the charismatic, younger coaches in the state who are destined for Hall-of-Fame status some day. Wearing the hats of both principal and coach, he has an award-winning school and athletic program.

K.C. Johnson is the highly successful coach of one of the most powerful 1B programs in the incredibly competitive Southwest Washington region. Adna (2009 state champions), Napavine (2008 champs), Willapa Valley (four-time champions), and South Bend (2010 state champions) all hail from the same little corner of the state.

Jim Sandusky, coach of 2B state champion Lummi Nation) is one of the all-time great stories in the history of this state. This 12-year NFL and CFL veteran built the Lummi program from the ground up (literally). I contacted Sports Illustrated about him, because his is a story that needs to be told. Sandusky and Lummi principal Heather Leighton have created something of deep and lasting value on that reservation.

John Ondriezek of Mariner has what I believe is the hardest job in the state. With the transient population, the large numbers of prospective athletes who have to work after school, the lack of funding to enable kids to attend any football camps, and an administration (including the athletic director) that barely tolerates rather than supports the athletic program, Ondriezek has consistently had his teams vying for playoff spots. It is a shame that he has to fight through so many bureaucratic roadblocks just to put a team on the field.

When I said earlier that these coaches do a job that most men in our society can’t or won’t do, I include myself in that number. I have coached freshman football for close to thirty years because I am not willing to sacrifice the time needed to be a head coach at the varsity level. I’m also sure that I don’t have the requisite organizational skills needed to be successful. Do I have the knowledge? Yep. But, knowledge isn’t enough. These guys I have just mentioned, along with the other interviewees, have the whole ball of wax, the whole enchilada…they deserve that most honored of all titles…Coach. Jim Olsen